New batch!

[Susan W]

I have some seeds started, and in various stages from not germinating yet (or at all) to needing to go up to 4" pots. Today started a new batch, eclectic mix. I ordered some seeds (about 10 varieties) from American Meadows, on a special, just because. I am trying to hold off on more ordering until Jan.
Today put in peat pellets -
Lobelia (cardinal flower) red and blue. I've tried before with very low success. In checking, need light, also a chill. If put in frig drawer is dark, hmmm. I have 2 trays in different locations and will wait and see if anything happens.
Hairy Mountain Mint. The mtn mint is said to be a great pollinator magnet.
New England Aster. If these do are a good fall pollinator magnet.
Lavender (munstead) Always need more
Coneflower TN. Need more.
Coneflower purple, (seeds from my yard). Always need more.

Also in the seed order are Joe Pye Weed and Prairie aster (annual)

[imafan26]

How do you germinate coneflower seeds. I have no luck with them. Does it need to be cold to germinate?

[Susan W]

imaf- the regular purple coneflower fairly easy, no special treatment. I use the peat pellets, have in regular conditions and they usually germinate. I try to remember to feed with Johns recipe every7-10 days (with all the starts), then go to 4" pot. The other coneflowers are tickier, and may need chilled.
Next question is can you get packets of seeds off the rack? I've used those, sometimes from more specialized suppliers, and now figured to gather from mine. If you can't get them, pm me with info and I can send a few. This last batch from my flowers popped up fine.

[Susan W]

imaf, I realized I lead you down the wrong garden path of starting coneflowers. Oops! The one tray I had come up so nice had been put in peat pellets mid Oct, in the veggie drawer of fridge. Then brought out 2nd week Nov. They had great germination rate. Next batch I left out, realized my error, put in fridge, and still waiting for them to do something. That 1st batch in 4" pots now.

[imafan26]

Thanks Susan, I put the seeds in the freezer and still did not get them to germinate. I keep all my seeds in the fridge. I'll just have to try again. Maybe now is the time to start them. I always try to start them when it is warm, maybe they like cooler weather.

[rainbowgardener]

Keeping seeds in fridge or freezer is not the same as cold stratifying them, and does not count as pre-chilling. To count, the seeds have to be planted in moist potting mix or seed starting mix or whatever you use. Then you wrap the whole thing in plastic to keep the moisture in, and then you chill for 6 weeks or so.

[applestar]

Thanks to SusanW's thread/posts which reminded me (to get these done!), I started my purple coneflower seeds, too, (I think I got these from Pinetree or Fedco) as well as Alpine Strawberry seeds which also need to be cold stratified first (2 weeks for the strawberry seeds and 5 days for the coneflower according to the package, though after seeing Susan's post, I may wait at least 2 weeks as for the strawberries... Or longer) Right now is perfect because it's down to 30's in the garage. I left the sown seed flats out there covered in plastic veg bags.

The Alpines are "Yellow Wonder" and "White Soul"
Susan, I also have the plant you gave me (thank you!) -- it's growing well, though of course it is "sleeping" out in the garden right now.